Nut-making machine.



w. LIWARD, H- D. REMSEN & E. c. BOERNER.

NUT MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, I912.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916:

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W. L. WARD, H. D. REMSEN & E. C. BOERNER. NUT MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FlLED APR.'27. 1912.

1,206,181. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

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W. L. WARD; H. D. REMSEN & E. C. BOERNER.

NUT MAKING MACHKNE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, 1912.

1 ,206, 1 81 Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

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W. L. WARD H. D. REMSEN v& E. C. BOERN ER.

NUT MAKI ACHI APPLICATION Fl PR. 2 2.

1,206,181. Patented Nov. 916.

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. L. WARD, H. D. REMSEN 81 E. C. BOERNER.

NUT MAKING MAQHINE. APPLICATION FILED A P R. 27. I912.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

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W. L. WARD, H. D. REMSEN & E. C.,BOERNER NUT MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. I912.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

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' U ITED STATES PATENT orrrc.

WILLIAM L. WARD, HERBERT D. REMSEN, AND EMILE C. BOERNER, OF PORTCHESTER,

NE'W YORK, ASSIGNORS TO RUSSELL, BURDSALL & W'ARD BOLT AND NUT 00., OF

PORT CHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

NUT-MAKING MACHINE.

Specification of Iietters Patent Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Original application filed June 27, 1910, Serial No. 559,053. Dividedand this application filed April 27, 1912. Serial No. 693,606.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM L. WARD, HERBERT D. REMSEN, and EMILE C.Bonn- NER, citizens of the United States, residing at Port Chester,inthe county of Vestchester and State of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Nut- Making Machines, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention deals with mechanism for transferring articles from adelivering means to a mechanism for performing further operations on thesame, and this application is a division of a copending applicationfiled June 27, 1910, Serial No. 569,053.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and effectivemechanism especially capable of handling nut blanks.

A further object of this invention is to adapt for a machine a mechanismfor suc-- cessively receiving roughly formed nutblanks at one portion ofthe machine and transporting said blanks in the form of a train toanother portion of the machine, and then successively removingindividual nutblanks from the forward end of the train in such manner asto insure precision and regularity of operation irrespective of theordinary variations in length of the train of blanks.

A further object is to devise ablank-handling mechanism capable ofvarious applications andwhich will operate on a multiplicity of more orless irregularly disposed blanks, and will deliver such blanks so as tobe accurately located in any predetermined position.

ther objects and advantages will be in part pointed out hereinafter andin part rendered apparent by means of the accompanying illustrations.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement. of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

To promote a full understanding as tothe manner in which this inventionmay be carried out, drawings exemplifying a preferred embodiment havebeen appended as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings likecharacters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, of which Figure l is a plan view of a general assembly ofa complete machine in which is embodied the mechanism hereinspecifically claimed; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the delivery end ofthe conveyer for the nutblanks and the transfer mechanism for pickingnut-blanks from the end of such conthe extremity of the conveyor 238,then withdraw the same from such conveyer, and

ultimately position the same between vertically movable fingers whichcarry the nutblank to the roulette; Fig. l is a rear end elevation ofthe picker shown by Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an elevation of the transfermechanism as viewed fromthe end of the nutblank conveyer, looking in thedirection of travel of the nut-blanks, 2'. 6., toward the rear end ofthe machine; Fig. 6 is a side elevation, showing in part certain oftheun-- obstructed elements of Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, and disclosingmore particularly the arrangement of the cams, levers and other elementswhich operate the transfer mechanism; Fig. 7 is an end elevation lookingforwardly in the direction of the axis of the camshaft 251 and showingmore particularly the lever which actuates the vertically moving tongmechanism, as well as the levers which operate the plungers fortransferring the blanks from the horizontally moving tong mechanism tothe vertically moving tong mechanism and for'transferring them from thelatter to the 'roulette, which carries them through subsequentoperations; Fig. 8 is an end elevation showing details of constructionof the roulette; and

showing further details of the construction of the roulette.

The e0nceyer.-Turning to Fig. 1, there will be seen a track-like slide,or trackway 238 which will normally be loaded with blanks which will besuccessively introduced into one end, and pushed along toward thedischarge end, from which they are successively removed by the apparatusnow to be described.

The mechanism for transferring the nutbhmhs from the conveyer to ther0uZezfte.- It may be perceived at this point that, owing to thesomewhat rough and irregular contour of the nut-blanks which are pushedalong the conveyer, or trackway in the form of a long train of blanks,the foremost nut-blank may be more or less displaced in its position.That is to say, at one time the foremost unit of the train of nut-blanksmay be well advanced with respect to the extremity of the conveyer, andat another time it may be positioned more to the rear of such extremity.On the other hand, in an automatic machine of this character one highlyimportant attribute to smoothness and positiveness of action will residein an accurate and unfailing placing of the nut-blanks. In order,therefore, to provide a mechanism having the capacity of compensatingfor the variable positions of the nut-blanks at the delivery end of theconveyer, this invention proposes to intervene what may be termed apicker mechanism between the conveyer and the roulette which carries thenuts through the various finishing operations, such as crowning,renincliing, retrimming and the like. Ac-

cording to this invention a device such as that shown by Fig. 3 andcomprising a pair of tong-like spring arms is mounted adjacent theextremity of the conveyer and adapted to horizontally reciprocate so asto advance into engagement with, preferably,

the lateral, or peripheral portion, of the nut-blank carried at the endof said conveyer and withdraw the same therefrom, and thus positivelyposition the same in a predetermined vertical plane. This mechanism isshown more plainly by Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive.

Turning first to Figs. 3 and 4, a pair of spring fingers or tongs 240and 241 are secured, by means of screws such as 242 to a block 243 so asto lie parallel with one another, but spaced apart approximatelysomewhat less than the maximum diagonal of a nut-blank. This block 243is mounted to slide in a horizontal direction in a suitable stationarypart of the frame of the machine, as shown by the drawings, and isactuated through an extension 244, which terminates in the slotted end245. An actuating lever 246 is pivoted at its one end to the pivot pin247 and at its other end carries the pin 248, which moves in the slot inthe end 245. This lever is actuated by means of the roller 249 whichrides in contact with the periphery of the cam 250 which is fixed to ashaft 251 mounted in journal boxes 252 arranged at one side of themachine and said roller 249 may be held in contact with cam 250 by anysuitable means, such as he usual spring. This shaft 251 is in turndriven by the beveled gear in mesh with the gear 72 which is secured tothe shaft 72, which at one end carries the gear in mesh with the gear255 mounted on the main shaft 6. As a result of this mechanism, thespring fingers or tongs 240 and 241 are caused to advance toward the endof the nut-blank conveyer 238 and, by reason of the slot 239 they areable to pass over and frictionally grip the nutblank at the head of thetrain of blanks. Consequently, during the withdrawal of the springfingers or tongs 240 and 241, this nutblank will be removed and carriedto a position such that it may be engaged by a second pair of tongs orfingers, which are arranged to slide vertically and transversely to themovement of said firstmentioned tongs. The second tongs are shown moreclearly by Figs. 5 and 2 and indicated by reference numerals 256 and257. These secu 0nd tongs are secured to a block 258 fixed to a member259, which is in turn adjustably fixed in position on a verticallyreciprocatingblock 260 by means of the screws 261. This block slidesvertically in the ways 262, and has a pivot pin 263 projectingrearwardly through slot 264 in the vertical ways 262 (see Fig. 7 Thispivot pin 263 carries a conventional form of sliding block whichslidably connects with the end 265 of the vertically oscillating lever266. This lever is pivoted at its distant end to the. pivot 267 and isactuated by means of' an intermediately located roller 268 in engageniont with the cam 269 (see Figs. 2 and 6). also fast to the shaft251. Preferably tl e cam 269 comprises the usual cam groove with whichthe roller 268 engages.

It will, from the foregoin be understood that when the first tongmechanism withdraws the nut-blank from the end of the conveyer, suchblank is to be transferred to the vertically moving pair of tongs. Thisis accomplished by means of an upper plunger 270, whichreciprocatesbetween the tongs 240 and 241, and which is normally held ina retracted position by means of the spring 271 (see Fig. 2). At theproper instant, this plunger is advanced and pushes the nutblank frombetween the tongs 240 and 241, and then between the tongs 256 and 257,it being, of course, understood that the latter tongs are now in theirelevated position through the operation of the lever 266. The

means for operating the plunger 270 consists in a. lever 272 .(shownmore clearly by Figs; 2 and 7), which is pivoted at an inter"- mediatepoint to the pivot pin 273 carried by a suitable standard rising fromthe frame of the machine. The actuating end of this lever carries anadjustable screw 274 which, during the forward advance of the leverimpacts against the end of the plunger 270 and in turn advances thesame. The lever 272 is actuated by means of a roller 275 which contactswith the cam 27 6' fixed to the shaft 251. A spring 277 (shown in Fig.2) operates to keep theroller 275 properly pressed against the camsurface 276. The spring 27 7 is stronger than the spring 271.

In order to transfer the blanks from the vertically moving tongs, thisinvention proposes a lower plunger 278. This is shown more clearly byFigs. 5, 6 and 7. This plunger 278 reciproc'ates horizontally and ispivotally connected with an uprising bent lever 279, which is pivoted at280, and at its upper end carries the roller 281 which rides around thecam 282 and is intermittently actuated thereby. Roller 281 may be heldin contact with the cam 282 by any suit able means, such as the usualspring. Consequently, each time the plunger27 8 operates, a nut-blankwill be forced from the vertically moving tongs and will be received bythe adjacent spoke of the roulette or spokelike structure, as willbepresently described. Through this mechanism the blanks are verycertainly and accurately positioned and transported through the severalfinishing operations.

The roulette for carry dag the mat-blanks through the succcssi'vefinishing opcmtiona- The detailed construction of the preferred form ofroulette, or carrier, which supports the nut blanks during therefinishing, or reshaping, operations, is shown more particu larly byFigs. 8 and 9. A shaft 283 passes from the rear or discharge end of thema chine through the main frame, and terminates adjacent the end of thedouble-headed reciprocating punch carrying frame. At its forward end,this shaft tapers and carries the hub 28% of the roulette. This hub issecurely retained'in position by means of a pressure plate 285, which ispositioned by the nut 286 on the end of the shaft 283.

The hub of this roulette provides a series of equi-spaced radiatingspoke like members 287, 287, 287, and, inasmuch as these are similar incharacter, but one need be described.

This radiating portion extends to the rear, 1'. e., in martialdirection, a little less than one-half the total length of the hub 28&and provides a grooved channel or trackway in which an intervening block288 may slide in a radial direction, but is restrained against any othermovement relative to the part 284. A tong-block 289 has a transversemovement on the intervening block 288, as

carries the nut 291 at itsforemost extremity. I

This nut enables the parts to be secured rigidly in place by clampingthe same up. For the purpose of securing exact radial adjustments of theblock 289, a nut'f292, which'engages the radial bolt 293, is provided,aswill be understood. Each arm or spoke of this roulette is formed by apair ofspring fingers 294 and 295, which, adjacent theirextremities,provide V-sha-ped nicks 296 adapted to engage the corners ofthe hexagonal nut-blanks and hold the same with sufficient firmness byreason of the spring tension of the arms or fingers 294: and 295. Thesefingers are in turn secured to the tong-blocks 289" by means ofappropriate nuts and bolts, indicated by 297. This roulette is arrangedand disposed as shown more clearly by Fig.

1, so that as the shaft 283 is intermittently rotated through an angleof 60 degrees, the spring fingers ofthe roulette will move in an endlesspath and successively pass by a position directly opposite the plunger278 which forces the blank from the above-described vertically movingcarrier to the finger of the roulette which is at the instant inregistry therewith. In this way every time the plunger 278 operates, anut-blank will be positioned in the roulette. The blank is first carriedthrough a sixth of a revolution of the roulette, as indicated by thearrow on Fig. 8, so as to bring it into site the flattening punch 298which is mounted on one end of the double-ender reciprocating punchinghead. The nut-blank is supported from the other side by the anvil 299which isadjustably mounted in the sta tionary part of the main frame asby means position opp'obest by F ig 9. It will thus be seen that thistransfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between a source of blanks,on the one hand, and means for performing operations on said blanks, onthe other hand.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is 1- '1. A machine of the nature disclosedcomprising, in combination, a trackway for a train of blanks, a pair ofspring-tongs adapted to be reciprocated toward the end of said trackwayto enable said tongs to frictionally engage the blank at the head-of thetrain of blanks, and means for operating said tongs whereby theblanksmay be successively removed. from the end of said trackway.

A machine of the nature disclosed comprising. in combination, atrackwayfor a train of nut blanks, a pair of springdingers mounted opposite theend of said trackway and adapted to reciprocate toward the same,

and means operative to reciprocate said fingers to enable the latter tosuccessively withdraw blanks from said trackway.

3. A machine 01": the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said conveyer and adapted to advance into engagementwith a blank at the head of said train to engage and remove the samefrom said conveyer, a plunger for forcing the blank from said fingers, aspring normally maintaining said plunger in its retracted position, andmeans operative against the resistance of said spring adapted toreciprocate said plunger.

a. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said conveyer and adapted to reciprocate inalinement with said conveyer, a plunger, a spring normally maintainingsaid plunger out of proximity with a blank, and intermittent meansoperative against the resistance of said spring adapted to advance saidplunger to discharge a blank.

5. A machine of the nature disclosed comprisin in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers slidablymounted in alinement with said trackway, a plunger, a spring normallymaintaining said plunger in retracted relation with respect to saidfingers, mechanism co-acting with said plunger to actuate the sameagainst the resistance of said spring, and cam means adapted tointermittently operate said mechanism to cause a reciprocation of saidplunger.

6. A machine of the nature disclosed COID- prising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-tongs adapted to bereciprocated toward the end of said trackway to enable said tongs totrictionally engage a blank at the head of the train of blanks, meansfor operating said tongs whereby the blanks may be successivelywithdrawn from the end of said trackway, and a mechanism movabletransversely to said tongs adapted to receive the blanks carriedthereby.

7. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said trackway and adapted to reciprocate toward thesame, a plunger, a spring maintaining said plunger in a normal position,means operative against the resistance of said spring adapted toreciprocate said plunger to enable the latter to successively dischargeblanks from said fingers, and a mechanism movable transversely to saidfingers adapted to receive the blank discharged therefrom.

.8. A. machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said trackway and adapted to advance into engagementwith a blank at the head of said train to engage-and remove the samefrom said trackway, a plunger, a spring normally retaining said plungerin its retracted position, means operative against the resistance ofsaid spring adapted to reciprocate said plunger, and a mechanism movabletransversely to said fingers adapted to receive the blank discharged bysaid plunger.

9. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for atrain of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mounted oppositethe end of said conveyor and adapted to reciprocate in alinement withsaid conveyer, a plunger, a spring normally maintaining said plungerretracted relative to said fingers, intermittent means operative againstthe resistance of said spring adapted to advance said plunger, and amechanism movable transversely to said fingers adapted to receive theblank discharged by said plunger.

10. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers slidablymounted in alinement with said trackway, aplunger, a spring normallymaintaining said plunger retracted relative to said fingers, mechanismco-acting with said plunger to actuate the same against the resistanceof said spring, cam means adapted to move intermittently to cause areciprocation of said fingers, and a mechanism movable transversely tosaid fingers adapted to receive the blank discharged by said plunger.

11. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a device having a pair of spring-tongsadapted to be reciprocated toward the end of said conveyer to enablesaid tongs to frictionally engage a blank at the head of the train ofblanks, means for oper ating said device whereby the'blanks may besuccessively withdrawn from the end of said conveyer, a mechanismcomprising a pair of spring-tongs arranged transversely to saidfirst-mentioned tongs and adapted to receive the blank carried thereby,and means for reciprocating said mechanism transversely to the movementof said device.

12. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a device comprising a pair ofspring-arms mounted opposite the end of said conveyer and adapted toreciprocate toward the same, a plunger, 2). spring maintaining saidplunger in a normal position, means operative against the resistance ofsaid spring adapted to reciprocate said plunger, to enable the latter tosuccessively force blanks from said device, a mechanism comprising apair of spring-tongs arranged and movable transversely to said deviceand adapted to receive the blank discharged therefrom, and means forreciprocating said mechanism.

.13. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-tongs adapted to bevreciprocated toward the end of said trackway to enable said tongs tofrictionally engage the blank at the head of the train of blanks, meansfor cooperating with said tongs whereby the blanks maybe successivelyremoved from the, end of said trackway and brought to a predeterminedposition, and a reciprocating head having an implement adapted toadvance to operate on said blank.

14:. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination,'aconveyer for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said conveyer and adapted to advance into engagementwith a blank at the head of said train to en'- gage the same and removeit from said conveyer, a plunger for forcing the blank from saidfingers, a spring normally maintaining said plunger in its retractedposition, means operative against the resistance of said spring adapted.to reciprocate said'plunger to force the blank from said fingers, amechanism adapted to receive the blank and carry the same into apredetermined position, and a reciprocating head carrying an implementadapted to operate on said blank when so positioned.

r 15. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said conveyer and adapted to reciprocate inalinement with said conveyer, a plunger, a spring normally maintainingsaid plunger out of the path of a'blank, intermittent means operativeagainst the resistance of said spring adapted to advance said plunger todischarge a blank, a roulette adapted to receive said blank, and areciprocating head having an implement. adapted to operate onsaid blankwhile held by said roulette.

16. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a device comprising a pair ofspring-fingers slidably mounted in alinement with said conveyer, aplunger, a spring normally maintaining said plunger retracted relativeto said fingers, mechanism co-acting with said plunger to actuate thesame against the resistance of said spring, cam means adapted tointermittently operate said mechanism to cause a reciprocation of saidplunger, means for receiving and positioning the blank discharged bysaid plungar, and a reciprocating head carrying an blanks,

implement adapted to operate on said positioned blank.

17. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackWay for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-tongs adapted to bereciprocated toward the end of said trackway to enable said tongs totrictionally engage a blank at the head of a train of blanks, means foroperating said tongs whereby the blanks may be successively withdrawnfrom the end of said traclnvay, a mechanism movable transversely to saidtongs adapted to receive the blanks carried thereby, means cooperatingwith said mechanism for positioning said and a. reciprocating headhaving an implement adapted to operate on the positioned blanks;

18. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a trainof blanks, a device comprising a pair ofspring-fingers mounted opposite the end of said conveyer and adapted toreciprocate toward the same, a plunger, a spring maintaining saidplunger in a normal position, means operative against the resistance.

of said spring adapted to reciprocate said plunger to enable the latterto successively discharge blanks fromsai'd device, a mecha'nisnrmovabletransversely to said device adapted to receive the blank dischargedtherefrom, asecond mechanism cooperating with said first-mentionedmechanism for re ceiving the blank from the former andposie tioning thesame, and a reciprocating head having an implement adapted to operate onsaid blanks while held by said second mechanism. V V

19. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a pair of spring-fingers mountedopposite the end of said conveyer and adapted to advance into engagementwith a blank at the head of said train to engage the same and remove itfrom said conveyer, a plunger, a spring normally retaining' said plungerin its retracted position, means operative against the resistance ofsaid spring adapted to reciprocate said plunger, a mechanism movabletransversely to said fingers adapted to receive the blank -atire againstthe resistance of said spring adapted to advance said plunger, amechavnism movable transversely to said fingers adapted to receive ablank discharged by said plunger, a second mechanism cooperating withsaid first-mentioned mechanism for accurately positioning the blanks,and a reciprocating head having an implement for operating on the blanksso positioned.

21. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of lJlZlILiS, a device comprising a pair ofspring-fingers slidably mounted in alinement with said conveyer, aplunger, a spring normally maintaining said plunger retracted relativeto said fingers, mechanism eoacting with said plunger to actuate thesame against the resistance of said spring, cam means adapted to moveintermittently to cause a reciprocation of said device, a mechanismmovable transversely to said device adapted to receive the blankdischarged by said plunger, a second mechanism for receiving the blankfrom said first-mentioned mechanism to carry the same through successivepositions, an d a reciprocating head having a plurality of implementsadapted to successively operate on said blank as the latter assumes itssuccessive positions.

22. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising. in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a device having a pair of spring-tongsadapted to be reciprocated toward the end of said conveyer to enablesaid tongs to frictionally engage a blank at the hea d of the train ofblanks, means for operating said device whereby the blanks may besuccessively withdrawn from the end of said conveyer, a mechanismcomprising a. pair of springtongs arranged transversely to saidfirst-mentioned tongs and adapted to receive the blank carried thereby,means for reciprocating said mechanism transversely to the movement ofsaid device, a roulette for receiving the blanks from said mechanism andfor bringing the same into a succession of predetermined positions, anda reciproeating head having a plurality of implements ada ted to operateon said blanks while held by said roulette.

23. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a device comprising a pair ofspring-arms mounted opposite the end of said conveyer and adapted toreciprocate toward the same, a plunger, a spring maintaining saidplunger in a normal position. means operative against the resistance ofsaid spring adapted to reciprocate said plunger to enable the latter tosuccessively force blanks from said device, a mechanism com prising apair of spring-tongs arranged and movable transversely to said deviceand adapted to receive the blank discharged therefrom, means forreciprocating said mechanism, a roulette adapted to receive a blank fromsaid mechanism, and a reciproeating head having a plurality ofimplements adapted to simultaneously operate on a plurality of blankscarried by said roulette.

24. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring tongs adapted to'bereciprocated toward the end of said trackway to enable said tongs tofrictionally engage the blank at the head of the train of blanks whilein the trackway, and means for operating said tongs whereby the blanksmay be successively removed from said trackway.

25. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, atrackway for a train of blanks, a pair of spring tongs adapted to bereciprocated toward the end of said trackway to enable said tongs tofrictionally engage the blank at the head of the train of blanks whilein the trackway, means for operating said tongs whereby the blanks maybe successively removed from said traekway, and a plunger adapted toforce successive blanks from said tongs.

26. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of blanks, a spring gripper adapted to bereciprocated toward the end of said conveyer to enable said gripper tofrictionally engage the blank at the head of the train of blanks whilein the conveyer, blank holding mechanism adapted to move in a path at anangle to said gripper, and means adapted to transfer blanks from saidgripper to said holding mechanism and cause said blanks to cooperatewith said holding mechanism so as to be retained thereby while saidholding mechanism is at rest.

27. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of nut blanks, a carrier comprising a plurality ofnut blank supporting devices movable in an endless path, mechanismadapted to simultaneously perform reshaping operations on a plurality ofnut blanks supported by said carrier, and means adapted to successivelytransfer nut blanks from said conveyer to said supporting devicescomprising a plurality of pairs of movable fingers adapted to supportnut blanks and means adapted to transfer nut blanks from one of saidpairs of fingers to another.

28. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyenfor a train of nut blanks, a carrier comprising a plurality ofnut blank supporting devices movable in an endless path, mechanismadapted to simultaneously perform reshaping operations on a plurality ofnut blanks supported by said carrier, and means adapted to successivelytransfer nut blanks from said-conveyer to said supporting devicescomprising a plurality of pairs of movable fingers adapted to supportnut blanks by engagement with peripheral portions thereof and meansadapted to transfer nut blanks from one of said pairs of fingers toanother.

29. A machine of the nature disclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of nut blanks, a carrier comprising a plurality ofnut blank supporting devices movable in an endless path, mecnanlsmadapted to simultaneously perform reshaping operations on a plurality ofnut blanks supported by said carrier, and means adapted to successivelytransfer nut blanks from said conveyer to said supporting devicescomprising a plurality of pairs of movable spring fingers adapted tosupport nut blanks by engagement With peripheral portions thereof andmeans adapted to transfer nut blanks from one of said pairs of fingersto another.

30. A machine of the naturerdisclosed comprising, in combination, aconveyer for a train of nut blanks, a carrier comprising a plurality ofnut blank supporting devices movable in an endless path, mechanismadapted to simultaneously perform reshaping operations on a plurality ofnut blanks supported by said carrier, and means adapted to successivelytransfer nut blanks from said conveyer to said supporting devicescomprising a reciprocatory pair offingers adapted to advance and grip anut blank at the head of the train of blanks and remove the same fromsaid conveyer, a second pair of fingers reciprocable transversely of thefirst-mentioned pair, a, plunger adapted to transfer a nut blank fromthe first pair to the second pair at a predeter- 40 mined relativeposition of said pairs and a second plunger adapted to transfer a 'nutblank from said second pair of fingers to one of said nut blanksupporting devices.

In testimony whereof We affix our signa- Copies of. this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,Washington, D. 0.

